Local tree service responds to recent ice storms

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The late season storm that blanketed The Woodlands and surrounding area with a sheet of ice, left a debris field of downed trees, and branches that gave way under the weight of the ice. Extreme weather conditions have taken their toll on The Woodlands foliage, going back to Hurricane Ike, consecutive years of drought, and a colder than typical winter.

The 24-hour emergency service provided by Southeast Texas Trees, LLC, came to local residents' aid during the ice storm. Their trucks were immediately dispatched and continue to work throughout the community removing fallen trees. Ryan Kowalick, the owner of Southeast Texas Trees, said damage to property could have been minimized by having dead and diseased trees removed before severe weather season.

The Gulf Coast region is prone to violent weather during winter due to jet stream fronts colliding with the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. This is just a natural weather phenomenon. Southeast Texas Trees highly recommends a proactive approach to maintaining the trees.

“This is the perfect time. Early spring is the perfect time to trim and prune trees,” said Kowalick. “Trimming is healthier for the trees. It makes your landscaping look more aesthetic, and it makes the yard a safer environment.”

Other maintenance services include ornamental tree care and shrub pruning and tree planting. In addition to preventative tree maintenance, Southeast Texas Trees has all the essential equipment to remove dead and fallen trees, and also offers mulching, stump grinding, clean-up services, and can even leave you with a cord of firewood if you please.

“We’re bonded and insured, and have had a good working relationship with The Woodlands Township and surrounding cities and municipalities over the years,” said Kowalick.

Kowalick cautions residents about the appearance of ‘fly-by-night’ tree removal services, stating that they fail to be bonded or insured. If an accident occurs, the resident could be responsible for the damages. Accidents often result due to inexperience and improper equipment.

Woodlands Online’s ‘Best of The Woodlands’ winners were recently announced, and once again, Southeast Texas Trees was among the top three winners for tree services.

“Some years we’re first, but we’re just happy to be in the top three year after year,” said Kowalick. “It shows we do consistent quality work.”

To replace lost trees The Woodlands Development Company hosts an annual Arbor Day event and distributes eight different varieties of tree seedlings which include: Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, Loblolly Pine, River Birch, Southern Wax Myrtle, Sweetbay Magnolia, Shumard Oak and Water Oak. Since 1977, The Woodlands Development Company and its sponsors have given away approximately 1.9 million tree seedlings at Arbor Day. The Woodlands Township donated an additional 91,000 tree seedlings to this year’s event in an effort to reforest The Woodlands due to the 2011 historic drought. The total amount of tree seedlings handed out this year was 121,000. Residents collected these free tree seedlings to plant on their property, and in both community open-space reserves and forest preserves. Unfortunately the event took place just a little over a month ago on January 18, but residents are encouraged to continue the reforest effort year-round.

What distinguishes Southeast Texas Trees is their specialization in native Texas trees.

“We’re Arborist Tree Specialists. We sustain and improve the health and well-being of a tree whenever possible,” said Kowalick. “When clients want a tree removed, we strongly recommend an evaluation of the tree: it's present health and current environment, before deciding to remove it. We only recommend removing a tree when it is dead, dying, diseased, or presenting a hazardous situation.”

Residents and businesses with downed trees due to the recent ice storm can have Southeast Texas Trees safely remove it, and assess the status of the rest of the trees on the property. They can not only remove any fallen trees, but trim dead branches from standing trees, and prune healthy trees to allow flow-through air circulation.

“We’ll help customers preserve nature here in The Woodlands and the surrounding area. That’s why we’re called Southeast Texas Trees,” said Kowalick.

Southeast Texas Trees, LLC, boasts of having 25 years of experience. Complimentary estimates and 24-hour emergency service, round out their value-added customer service.

“We tree't you right," added Kowalick.

For more information about Southeast Texas Trees, Inc. and their varied tree services, call, email, or view the website.